New SPG Card

[TonyB]

A couple of weeks ago I joined the SPG program and today I received my new card. Anyway, my card has the words "Preferred Business" on it and says that I automatically get 2 starpoints per eligible US dollar spent, automatic upgrade to a Preferred Room at check-in, 4pm late check out and 50% off award after 3rd stay.

I can't find these benefits listed on the SPG website so I am wondering if this is a different membership category to the standard ones listed.

Is this just the stndard membership card? Did anyone else get this kind of card when joining? Not that I am complaining if it is a different category with better benefits but just curious as to why I might have received it when I signed up via the SPG website and not through any corporate program etc.

One other question, to get the upgrade do I just need to show my card at check-in or do I need to let them know in advance that I am a member?

 

[snufl]

This is not a standard card. In Australia you normally only get 4pm checkout and the upgrade you mentioned after attaining gold. I have seen it mentioned in forums in the U.S. but first I have heard of it here. Lucky you.
Did you join using a business name? I sometimes find it difficult to get enough stays in a year to retain gold. If this card is available for business, I'll join using our company name.

 

[BiziBB]

Hi, I've received those benefits (on request) on a regular green SPG card, on US stays at W hotels, but nowhere else. A couple of bottles of water per day at all *W's and a cople of buffet brekky vouchers at the 4pts BOS.

I suppose you could contact the hotel after booking to see if these benefits are automatically added, or if they are available on request.

Thanks for bringing it up - can you confirm it was a corporate membership, or at least one in a company name?

Cheers ^

 

[snufl]

Found this link Starwood Preferred Business

 

[TonyB]

Found this link Starwood Preferred Business

Thanks for the link, that's the one! No, I definately didn't join in a company name as I am an employee and I haven't seen this listed on our intranet as one of the staff benefits, of which there are quite a few. I can't remember all the questions on the sign up form but all I can assume is that there was a section to list your employer and that somehow was matched to an existing corporate membership that we must have? Not sure, but certainly not going to question it

 

[TonyB]

Problem solved! It appears that other senior staff have received the card as well (although they had no idea what it was), so it seems that it has been a huge coincidence in that the company has obviously joined as a corporate member and automatically provided certain employees with automatic business membership at the same time I joined as a normal member. What are the chances of that:!: